Can a 19‑year‑old really dismantle the world No 3? Mirra Andreeva did, thumping Aryna Sabalenka 6‑4 6‑0 to lock a semi‑final spot, while Elina Svitolina rallied past Karolina Muchova to stay alive.
The French Open champion notched her second straight Group 2 win, sealing the top spot after Svitolina’s 3‑6 6‑2 6‑2 triumph over Muchova.
Muchova’s hopes of reaching the semis evaporated, and Svitolina now meets Sabalenka Friday with the final quarter‑final berth on the line.
Sabalenka, world No 2 and US Open runner‑up, jumped ahead early, breaking Andreeva in the fourth game to lead 3‑1 in a tight opening set.
Andreeva answered instantly, snatching three games in a row to level 4‑4, then breaking again and serving out the set. For my money, her composure marks her as a rising star.
The Russian kept the pressure, exploiting Sabalenka’s mistakes to break early and sprint to a 3‑0 lead in the second set.
Andreeva didn’t allow a single reply, sealing a dominant debut victory at the Finals.
Svitolina rallies past Muchova, preserving her WTA Finals title chances.
Svitolina mounted a dramatic comeback, overturning Muchova to keep her title dream alive.
The Ukrainian seemed headed for defeat, trailing and taking an eight‑minute medical timeout, yet she surged back to win 3‑6 6‑2 6‑2 and stay in semi‑final contention.
I was pretty angry at myself after the first match and the first set. Things weren’t going my way, so I channeled that anger into the ball and eventually found my game.
I played well. I think my level returned in the third set. I gave everything because a loss would have meant elimination.
I just tried to release that energy and spot openings against Karolina. She’s a tough opponent.
It’s the season’s last tournament, so I have to keep my head down and manage the nagging injuries.
Everyone’s tired and dealing with issues. I’ll do my best, take an ice bath and aim to recover as much as possible in the next 48 hours.
Norrie falls to Fritz in Stockholm – will the Brit bounce back next week?
Britain’s Cameron Norrie exited the Stockholm Open on Wednesday after a straight‑sets loss to Taylor Fritz in the round of 16.
World No 10 Fritz clinched the first set 7‑5 and wrapped up the match with a 6‑3 second set, booking his quarter‑final spot.
Norrie had reached Tuesday’s last‑16 after a straight‑sets win over James Duckworth, while top seed Fritz received a bye into round two.
Fritz opened strongly, firing two aces to hold serve, but Norrie broke him in the third game.
The Brit tightened his grip, holding serve, yet Fritz responded with a break of his own to level the match at 5‑5.
He piled on pressure, delivering three aces and breaking Norrie’s serve in the 12th game to seal the opening set.
A tight tussle defined the second set until Norrie was broken in the eighth game, and Fritz held serve to close out the match.